Multicell collapsible carton



Dec. 15, 1953 Filed Nov. 9, 1951 H. V. BOLDING MULTICELL COLLAPSIBLE CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f F I. B/ l 66.

161 16 17 Il J6 1o 14/ d Y MM @M11 Dec. 15, 1953 H. v. BOLDING 2,562,682

MULTICELL COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filed Nov. 9, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN T 0R.

gilbert /elnar B Y Patented Dec. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE MULTICELL COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Application November 9, 1951, Serial No. 255,617

(Cl. 22S- 28) v Claims.

This invention relates to cartons which are partitioned or cellular in nature and adapted to the packaging of such articles as bottles, light bulbs, eggs, candy novelties, fruits, vegetables, cookies, etc. This application is a continuationin-part of my copending application Serial No. 34,952, led June 24, 1948, now Patent Number 2,574,461, issue date of November 13, 1951.

An object of the invention is to so construct a single blank from sheet material that a cellular carton comprising Walls, spaced partitions, and if desired a top or cover may be readily and quickly set up by automatic folding carton machinery at a high rate of speed, the carton being collapsible into flat form after being so set up to thereby facilitate storage, handling, and shipping.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the partitions which form the individual cells in such manner that they also function to strengthen certain portions of the carton, particularly the bottom and Walls, and rigidify the same from top to bottom, side to side, and end to end. As a result, when some units are removed from a loaded carton the partitions will not collapse in the empty cell and the remaining contents are as securely positioned as though the entire carton were lled.

Still a further object of the invention is to so construct the various components of the forming blank that, after the carton is partially set up, excepting only the partitions which form the celllike pockets, the collapsed or flatted units may be readily withdrawn from stock and quickly and easily opened by slight pressure exerted on the ends of the collapsed carton and the partitions positioned properly, thus rendering the carton ready for immediate use.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of any particular material. While in many instances the use of so-called pasteboard will prove most satisfactory, substantially any material may be used which is obtainable in sheet form such as plastics, sheet metal, plastic impregnated fabrics or paper, laminate of cellophane, plastic sheeting, etc. Use of transparent plastic sheets possesses the advantage of providing a completely transparent partitioned plastic box particularly suitable for packaging articles Where it is desirable to display different species of a product in a single display assembly.

Various other objects and meritorious features of the invention Will become apparent from the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several iigures, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the sheet material blank used in forming the carton;

Fig. 2 is a perspective illustrating an initial stage in setting up the carton from the blank illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective illustrating a somewhat more advanced stage of formation;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan View of a corner of the carton illustrating the manner in which the Walls are secured in position;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a perspective illustrating the initial step in disposing the partitions to form the interior cellular structure;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective illustrating the completed carton;

Fig. l0 is a top plan view of said carton, and

Fig. 11 is a section through l i-l I of Fig. 10.

Referring now to Fig. l, the blank formed from a single sheet of material is preferably die cut to form the container shown and scored in locations to be described hereinafter for facilitating the setting up operation. The blank ccmprises side Walls l0 and l2 separated by score lines ll and i3 from what may be termed a duplex end Wall consisting of sections 54 and I4', the two components being identical in every Way and joined by a score line l5 as illustrated. Incidentally, it should be borne in mind that the terms end and side are used arbitrarily in describing this invention and that it is immaterial Whether certain partition forming flaps are associated with the longer walls or the shorter walls, or whether in fact the Walls are of the same linear dimensions. At the other end of side Wall li! and separated therefrom by score line l'! is the other duplex end Wall consisting of sections It and I6 divided by score line i9. Projecting beyond section I6 and separated therefrom by score line 2| is a tab 3, to one side of which adhesive is applied for a purpose described hereinafter.

Projecting from one side of Wall i6 and separated therefrom by score line 23 is a Wing comprising a bottom section I8 beyond which and separated therefrom by score line 25 is a longitudinal partition section 2t. The outer margin of partition section 20 is die cut to provide locking tongues 22 and 24.

A substantially identical wing separated by score line 2l from the corresponding side margin of Wall l2 is similarly provided with a bottom section I 8', a longitudinal partition section 2t', and locking tongues 22 and 24. Cooperating with each of the locking tongues 22, 22 and 24, 24 is a diagonally extending slot 5 leading to the underside of each tongue. Longitudinal partition section 25 may be coated with adhesive over all or a portion of its surface.

Beyond the ends of sections 6 and IS' and separated thererorn by a score line 31 is a transverse partition section broadly designated 52. This partition section is slotted from score line 31 delineating the margin of end sections i6 and i5', the slot being in alignment with score line 59 separating the sections, to provide a narrow slotted portion 54 at the base of the partition and a somewhat wider slotted portion 56 extending outwardly to a point near the end of the partition section. The partition section 52 is slotted at its outer free end in alignment with slot 56, as indicated at 523. A score line 5!! extends across section 52. A partition section broadly designated 52 identical in every respect with section 52 projects beyond the ends of the duplex end wall E4, id and is separated therefrom by a score line 39.

Flexibly connected to the upper margin of side wall IQ by a score line is a partition-forming wing broadly designated A which comprises a grid-like formation determined by horizontal score lines 66 and S8 and vertical slots 1G and 12. Vertical slots 1n and 12 terminate somewhat inwardly from the outer free margin of section A and slots 'i4 and 16 are cut into said outer margin in alignment with score lines 1G and 12.

The vertical dimension of the arid sections adjacent score line S4 is equal to the height of side wall iii, as is the vertical dimension of the grid sections adiacent the outer margin of wing A. The grid sections lying between score lines 6G and Sii are of a vertical dimension conforming to a specific fraction of the end wall formed by composite sections i5. I6 and I4, I4'. stance that dimension is one half the length oi an end wall section such as I6.

Flexibly connected to side wall l2 by a score line 64 is a partition-forming wing broadly designated B which is identical in every respect with A.

In the particular modication herein illustrated it should also be noted tht the width X of the sections lying between score lines 31 and t@ is equal to one third the length of side wall it! and the length Y of such section is equal to one half the length of the composite end wall, i. e., equal to the length of end wall section I6. It should be understood, of course, that these dimensions may be modified and the relationship between dimensions may also be modied without departing from the basic concept of the invention.

In setting up the carton from the blank illustrated in Fig. l the rst step may be as illustrated in Fig. 2. The blank is folded along score lines H, i3 and l1 and the adhesive-coated tab 3 is pressed against the inside of the free margin of side wall i2, thus setting up the side and end walls of the rectangular carton.

The next step illustrated in Fig. 3 involves folding the wings embodying bottom sections i8 and It and longitudinal partition sections 20 and 2t along score lines 23, 25, 21 and 29, respectively. The iold is inwardly along score lines 23 and 2l' and outwardly along score lines 25 and 29. The partition sections 2G and 20', to one side of the latter of which adhesive has been applied, are then brought into iace-to-face contact and the two partition sections are pressed In this ina faoe-to-face contact.

together to form a single integral section extending upwardly from the longitudinal median line of the bottom of the carton. rlhe bottom is formed by the two component sections I8 and i8', which sections are held in abutting relation by the integrated longitudinal partition formed of sections 20 and 20.

Prior to folding inwardly the two wing sections as thus described to form the longitudinal partition and bottom of the carton, transverse partitions 52 and 52 are folded inwardly along score lines 31 and 39, positioning them within the iour walls of the carton in juxtaposition with the end walls, respectively, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 6. It should be noted that the distance between score lines 31 and 60 of transverse partition section 52, and correspondingly in conjunction with transverse partition section 52 is equal to a specinc fraction of the length of the carton, as hitherto described.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, it will be noted that the next step in setting up the carton is to fold the transverse partitions 52 and 52 along score lines 69 and 52 by pushing downwardly on their upper edges, respectively. Slot 56 in transverse partition 52 and the corresponding slot in partition 52 receive the integrated longitudinal partition. The slots indicated at 58 in conjunction with transverse partition 52 and the corresponding slot in transverse partition 52 are then engaged with the rmly positioned under the integrated locking tongues 22, 22 and 24, 24 of the longitudinal partition. It will be noted that by reason of this construction the thickness of the bottom of the carton is doubled at the base of each of the two cells so formed along the end walls.

The final stage of setting up the carton is illustrated by the completed carton disclosures in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. Wina sections A and B are folded down along score lines E4 and 18, respectively, from the position illustrated in Fig. '7. Slots ifi and 12 of wing A will be received by the transverse partitions formed from sections 52 and 52 and the slots 14 and 16 at the extremity of each of the wings A and B will be received under locking tongues 18 and 80 located in the margins of sections 52 and 52. Thus the side walls of the carton will be reinforced and the corner cells will have a bottom of three-ply thickness. Of the remaining cells, all except the geometrically central cell of the twelve cells thus formed will have a bottom of two-ply thickness.

When set up in the form illustrated in Fig. 3, the carton is readily collapsed by exerting pressure transversely of the carton against the lower corners of the side walls I0 and I2. Transverse partitions 52 and 52' should rst be positioned as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 to lie adjacent and inside the duplex end wall sections and wings A and B extended above the upper margin of the walls illustrated. When pressure is so exerted the integrated longitudinal partition 20, 20 moves upwardly, carrying the bottom sections I3, I8 inwardly around score lines 23 and 21 into The ends of the carton formed, respectively, by duplex sections I4, I4' and I6, I6 collapse inwardly, respectively, about score lines l5 and I9 and the transverse partitions 52 and 52 fold inwardly along end central partition receiving slots and score line 10 extending between the outer end of slot 5B and notch 58 in the outer margin of each partition 52, 52'.

When the box is in the Iiatted or collapsed condition, individual units are readily stacked for shipment and storage. ln order to set a carton is only necessary to remove one from the ick, exert pressure against the extreme ends collapsed carton to straighten out the tition and El down into the operative position illustrated in 7, and then move wings A and down to the position illustrated in Fig. 9, all as described above.

As will have been noted iroin the foregoing description, the operation of forming the box into condition for storage is the essence oi simplicity. Gnly the end tab and one of the constituent units of the ultimately integrated transverse partition need be supplied with adm hesive, and onliT two pressure operations at these adhesiveespotted locations, respectively, are required.

While l have desoribcfl a carton comprised oi twelve cells, it will apparent that the essence of the invention ccrnprisi g a single blanl; having longitudinal transverse partition sections estonding away :troni the Walls of the blank and slotted to receive other partitions in locking engagernent is susceptible o1 various medina-,ations whereby cartons providing any number or cells may be developed. The use of separate cell forming assemblies is entirely eliminated, thus obviating a separate assembly of outside carton and interior cell-forming structures. The ton and its compartments can be made to any desired dimensions, the practical limit behqf only the size of available manufacturing ecu ment. The number ci compartments limited only by the increasing conplexity of the assen bling operation.

l-laving thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention, various modiiioations lying within its scope will be apparent those skilled in the art and for that reason l' wish to limit myself only within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A cellular carton formed from a single blank of sheet material comprising side walls, end walls collapsible outwardly along their vertical median lines, a bottom wall collapsible inwardly along its longitudinal median line, a longitudinal pari l'ition c otrally disposed within the carton inn tegral th bott wall and movable up wardly into the carton on collapsing of the bottoni wall, transverse partitions engaging said longitudinal partition at spaced points along its length, transverse partitions being movable into `lace-to-laoe contact with end walls and collapsible outwardly on collapsin04 movement of the end walls, and secondary longitudinal partitions en. each transverse partition at spaced points along their lengths, said secondary longitudinal partitions being movable out of alignment with the remainder of the collapsed assembly.

2. A cellular carton comprising side walls, end walls collapsible along their vertical median line, a longitudinal partition centrally disposed within the carton and connected to the bottom Wall, transverse partition sections connected to the bottom oi each end wall movable into positions, respectively, to forni within the carton in conjunction with the longitudinal partition a series of cells on each side of the same, each said transverse partition section including portions adapted to overlie and reinforce an portion of the bottoni wall, and secondary longitudinal partition sections flexibly connected, respectively, to the upper margin of each side wall and movable into positions, respectively, to divide each cell or" each of said series into additional cells.

3. A cellular carton comprising side walls, end walls collapsible along their verticcl median line, a longitudinal partition centrally in the carton and connected to the bottoni wall, transverse partition sections connected to the bottoni oi each end wall movabl nto positions, respectively, to forno within the carton conq junction with the longitudinal partition a series of cells on each Side of the same, each said transverse partition section including portions adapted to cverlie and reinforce an adjacent portion of the bottoni Wall, and secondary longitudinal gar tition sections flexibly connected, respectively, the upper margin of each side wall and movable into positions, respectively, to divide each cell of each of said series into additional each secondary longitudinal partition sectio'- including portions adapted to overlie and reinforce the adjacent portion o1 its respective side wall and the bottom wall.

4. A cellular carton comprising side walls, end walls collapsible outwardly alone their vertical median line, a bottom wall collapsible inwardly along its longitudinal median line, a longitudinal partition centrally disposed Within the carton integral with said bottom wall and movable upwardly into the carton on collapsing of the bottorn wall, said longitudinal partition including notched tongues adjacent its ends, transverse partition members iiexibly connected, respectiveu ly, to the bottoni margins of the end walls, each said partition being divided by a transverse fold line into a bottom reinforcing portion and a cell wall portion and being slotted outwardly from a point adjacent its connection with its respective end wall for reception of the longitudinal partition and slotted inwardly from its outer free roargin to i'orm between adjacent ends of the respece tive slots a solid portion engageable in the notch of a locking tongue when the bottom reinforcing portion of the transverse partition member overlies the bottom and the cell wall portion disposed normal thereto, each said transverse partition including on opposite sides or" its slotted portion a notched locking tongue, and secondary longitudinal partitions connected, respectively, to the upper margins of the side walls, each said secondary partition being divided by parallel transverse fold lines into a side wall reinforcing portion, a bottoni reinforcing portion, and a cell wall portion and being slotted outwardly from points adjacent its connection with its respective side Wall for reception of the transverse partitions and slotted inwardly iroin its outer free margin to forni between adjacent oi the respective slots solid portions engageable in the notches of the looking tongues ci' the transverspartitons when the bottoni reinforcing portion ci the secondary partition overlies the bottom and the cell wall portion is disposed normal thereto.

5. A cellular carton comprising side walls, end walls collapsible outwardly along their vertical median line, a bottom wall collapsible inwardly along its longitudinal median line, a longitudinal partition centrally disposed within the carton integral with said bottom wall and movable upwardly into the carton on collapsing of the bottorn wall, said longitudinal partition including notched locking tongues adjacent its ends, transverse partition members flexibly connected, re-

7 spectively, to the bottom marginsv of the end walls, each said partition being divided by a transverse fold line into a bottom reinforcing portion and a cell wall. portion and being slotted outwardly from point adjacent its connection with its respective end wall for reception of the longitudinal partition and slotted inwardly from its outer free margin to form between adjacent ends of the respective slots a solid portion engageable in the notch of a locking tongue when tbe bottom reinforcing portion of the transverse partition member overlies the bottom and the cell wall portion is disposed normal thereto, each said transverse partition including on opposite sides of its slotted portion a notched locking tongue, and secondary longitudinal partitions connected, respectively, to the upper margins of the side walls, each said secondary partition being divided by parallel transverse fold lines into a side wall reinorcirry portion, a bottom reinforcing portion, and a cell wall portion and being slotted outwardly from points adjacent its connection with its respective side wall for reception of the transverse partitions and slotted inwardly 8 from its outer free margin to form between adjacent ends of the respective slots solid portions the margins of which are engageable in the notches of the locking tongues of the transverse partitions when the bottom reinforcing portion of the secondary partition overlies the bottom and the cell wall portion is disposed normal thereto.

HUBERT VELMAN BOLDING.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 557,371 Ferguson Mar. 31, 1896 2,006,725 Usinger July 2, 1935 2,089,067 Myers Aug. 3, 1937 2,474,751 Morand June 28, 1949 2,515,151 Crane July 11, 1950 2,518,779 Hennessey Aug. 15, 1950 2,574,461 Bolding Nov. 13, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 425,663 Great Britain Mar. 19, 1935 

